Hiking trail guides, gear reviews, packing tips and route planning advice. Everything you need to plan your next multi-day hike — from the HikeLoad team.
BCAAs may reduce muscle soreness on long hikes, but most hikers get enough from food. Here is what the 2026 evidence actually shows.
Read articleKilimanjaro is Africa's highest peak at 5,895m and the world's highest walkable summit. Routes, costs and 2026 permit changes explained.
Read articleLiving on flat terrain is no barrier to mountain fitness. These stair, incline and loaded-carry workouts build trail-ready legs and lungs for 2026.
Read articleIsle of Skye delivers Scotland's most dramatic hiking — Cuillin scrambles, Quiraing plateaus and fairy-tale waterfalls — all within one compact island.
Read articleAustria's alpine network links Grossglockner (3,798 m), the Stubai circuit and hut-to-hut routes — one of Europe's most rewarding hiking destinations.
Read articleThe best hiking sandals compared on weight, grip and comfort — top picks for trails, water crossings and camp, plus who each pair suits.
Read articleSix emergency bivvies compared on weight, warmth and breathability — plus what a bivvy can and cannot do when weather turns on a remote trail.
Read articleFat adaptation benefits ultra-distance hikers on moderate terrain, but research shows clear trade-offs on steep climbs. What the 2026 science says.
Read articleTen energy bars ranked by calorie density: the best hit 400+ kcal per 100 g, survive heat and need no fridge. Full comparison table for 2026.
Read articleThe Manaslu Circuit covers 177 km around Nepal's eighth-highest peak, crossing the 5,106 m Larkya La — with far fewer trekkers than Annapurna.
Read articleSwimming builds aerobic base and VO2 max without joint stress — making it ideal cross-training for hikers preparing for long mountain days.
Read articleMallorca's newest long-distance trail: four coastal stages, ~97 km through the Llevant region. Stage-by-stage distances, difficulty, season and logistics.
Read articleThe Cape Wrath Trail is ~400 km of wild, unwaymarked walking from Fort William to Cape Wrath lighthouse — Britain's most remote long-distance route.
Read articleThe best sleeping bag liners add 2–7°C of warmth for as little as 75 g — far less weight than buying a warmer sleeping bag.
Read articleRegular care for hiking gear — boots, tents, rain jackets, sleeping bags — prevents early failure and saves hundreds of pounds in replacement costs.
Read articleWomen hikers need 18 mg of iron daily — more than double the male requirement — and face a higher risk of RED-S and hyponatremia on long trails.
Read articleFirst-time multi-day hikers should target 400–600 g of food per day at minimum 4 kcal/g — here's exactly what to pack and why.
Read articleJebel Shams at 3,009 m is Oman's highest peak and home to the Balcony Walk, an 8 km trail above the Grand Canyon of Arabia.
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